As part of the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future, a huge amount of focus has been placed on finding alternatives to environmentally damaging fossil fuels. As part of this effort, researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have made an outstanding breakthrough in ethanol fuel cell technology.
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This groundbreaking achievement, setting a new record for power density, not only propels ethanol fuel cells to the forefront of sustainable energy options but also positions them as formidable competitors to fossil fuels and electric vehicle batteries.
Our research enables direct ethanol fuel cells to compete with hydrogen-fuel cells and batteries in various sustainable energy fields, which have not yet been achieved before our invention.
Yang Yang, Associate Professor, Nanoscience Technology Center, UCF
A Rival to Conventional Fuel Cells
Owing to their low-emission nature, ethanol fuel cells hold great promise as a cleaner energy alternative. They also offer the added advantage of not needing to be charged, unlike electric vehicle batteries, making them a compelling solution for the sustainable energy landscape.
The team’s findings were recently published in the journals Nature Communications and Joule.
Our research enables direct ethanol fuel cells to compete with hydrogen-fuel cells and batteries in various sustainable energy fields, which have not yet been achieved before our invention…it is an overall positive energy balance and negative emission technology.
Yang Yang, Associate Professor, Nanoscience Technology Center, UCF
Through an innovative catalyst design, the team succeeded in extending the lifespan of ethanol fuel cells while simultaneously boosting their power density to an unprecedented level. This dual enhancement promises to reshape the performance and capabilities of these fuel cells across multiple industries.
Revolutionary Efficiency
In its liquid phase, ethanol is a clean biofuel that is much safer and easier to store and transport than pure hydrogen. Compared to the technology used to extract hydrogen from ethanol and then convert hydrogen to electricity, UCF’s technology is able to directly convert ethanol into electricity. The end result is a positive energy-balanced, negative-emission technology.1
The results really break the record by enhancing the fuel cell performance by a few folds compared to commercial catalysts.
Yang Yang, Associate Professor, Nanoscience Technology Center, UCF
Moreover, direct ethanol fuel cells, unlike conventional methods of ethanol utilization, which involve conversion processes and energy loss, allow for the immediate use of ethanol as fuel. By directly converting ethanol into electricity, the team has achieved remarkable efficiency gains, allowing for its seamless transformation into power without the need for any intermediary steps.
These implications are far-reaching, finding potential applications in noiseless power generation and vehicle propulsion.
Next Steps
After the success of their initial findings, Yang and the team are now looking to further improve the fuel cell’s power density before embarking on the journey to large-scale commercialization.
The UCF research team’s groundbreaking achievement in ethanol fuel cell power density is just the beginning. With a clear roadmap of strategic next steps, including optimization, integration, collaboration, and advocacy, the team is poised to bring ethanol fuel cells to the forefront of the sustainable energy revolution.
By addressing technical challenges, promoting awareness, and fostering partnerships, the team can contribute significantly to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, “accelerat[ing] the development of a global economy powered by clean and sustainable catalysis and energy-related technology.”3
References and Further Reading
- Nina Ribeiro Oliveira, B. (2023) New ethanol fuel cell technology rivals fossil fuels and electric car batteries: University of Central Florida News, University of Central Florida News | UCF Today. Available at: https://www.ucf.edu/news/new-ethanol-fuel-cell-technology-rivals-fossil-fuels-and-electric-car-batteries/(Accessed: 10 August 2023).
- Chang, J. et al. (2023) ‘Interface Synergism and engineering of PD/Co@N-C for Direct Ethanol fuel cells’, Nature Communications, 14(1). Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37011-z.
- Chang, J., Wang, G., Li, C., et al. (2023) ‘Rational design of septenary high-entropy alloy for direct ethanol fuel cells’, Joule, 7(3), pp. 587–602. Available at: https://www.cell.com/joule/pdf/S2542-4351(23)00081-8.pdf